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Recruitment and retention of palliative cancer patients and their partners participating in a longitudinal evaluation of a psychosocial retreat program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2009

Sheila N. Garland ,
Linda E. Carlson ,
Hubert Marr  and
Steve Simpson
Sheila N. Garland
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Linda E. Carlson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hubert Marr
Affiliation:
Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Division of Palliative Care, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Steve Simpson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Steve Simpson, Alberta Cancer Board - Holy Cross Site, Department of Psychosocial Resources, 2202 2nd St. S.W., Calgary, AB T2S 3C1, Canada. E-mail: stevesim@cancerboard.ab.ca
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Abstract

Objective:

The negative impact of a palliative cancer diagnosis on the quality of life of patients and their partners is well documented. Unfortunately, research on interventions to improve psychological and spiritual well-being of these couples has been considered impractical because of the deleterious influence of disease progression on participation. This study evaluated the feasibility of offering the Tapestry Retreat, an intensive psychosocial intervention for palliative care patients and their partners.

Methods:

Participants in the Tapestry Retreat included 15 patients with advanced breast, prostate, or colon cancer and their partners (n = 30). Also included was a natural history group consisting of 20 patients and their partners (n = 40). All couples completed questionnaires related to quality of life, distress, marital satisfaction, and existential concerns at baseline, after the retreat or 1 month after baseline, and then again at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Results:

Patients in the Tapestry group were significantly more likely to be women who had received prior psychological support and were less comfortable with their finances. Partners attending the Tapestry retreat were also more likely to have received prior psychological support.

Significance of results:

Despite issues with recruitment and retention, retreat participation was considered feasible. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Keywords

RecruitmentCancerPalliativeCouplesRetreatPsychosocial
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 7 , Issue 1 , March 2009 , pp. 49 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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